Radisson Milwaukee North Shore

Quiet Suburban Hotel Just Outside Milwaukee

From a distance, what looks like the tail of a giant whale emerges near the shore of Lake Michigan near downtown Milwaukee. It's a jarring sight, and not just because there aren't any whales in Lake Michigan. This massive, fan-like structure was constructed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and added as an extension to the Milwaukee Art Museum in 2001. The unique building is representative of the city's evolution into a modern cultural center while still retaining its roots as a Midwestern beer-brewing capital.

Just up north in the suburb of Glendale resides the Radisson Milwaukee North Shore, which sits less than 1 mile east from the sandy shore of Whitefish Bay. The hotel enjoys tranquil surroundings, but Milwaukee's multitude of arty attractions, sporting events, and microbreweries are only a 20-minute drive away.

The hotel's indoor swimming pool and whirlpool are set inside a verdant garden atrium. Up in the king and double guest accommodations, a color palette of olive and tan lends an earthy feel, and each room comes outfitted with a 27-inch cable TV. Guests can place bets on each other's sleep scores with the Sleep Number bed, which provides custom comfort in select rooms. A daily breakfast buffet is served at Zambonie's and, come nightfall, the night's big games show on the sports bar's 11 televisions.

Greater Milwaukee: Artsy Hub on Lake Michigan with Quality Brews

Just about 10 miles south of the hotel is the iconic Milwaukee Art Museum, which sits right on the lake and borders the Milwaukee River. More than 20,000 works line the walls here, ranging from antiquity to the present day, including a large collection of Georgia O'Keeffe paintings. Just south down the street, the historical Third Ward features galleries, shops, restaurants, and a river walk.

Milwaukee has been synonymous with beer brewing since the mid-19th century, where larger producers such as Miller, Pabst, and Schlitz dominated the landscape. Several microbreweries also call Milwaukee home, including Lakefront Brewery, where guests embark on a light-hearted, guided tour of the facility and sip on four 6-ounce pours of beer. Popular Lakefront beverages sampled along the way may include the amber, Vienna-style lager Riverwest Stein or the award-winning gluten-free beer called New Grist.

The Harley-Davidson Museum is positioned on a 20-acre campus, comprising three buildings that chronicle the iconic motorcycle's evolution and its culture. More than 450 motorcycles and thousands of artifacts are scattered about the displays, including a collection of engines and the oldest known Harley in existence. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the design lab, which touts a multitude of early prototypes and sketches. The experience gallery lets guests climb aboard real motorcycles and test out the season's most adorable skull bandannas.

What You Get

$79 for a one-night stay for two adults in a king room or a two-double room; up to three kids 17 or younger stay free in two-double rooms